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Vi Wickam: Loveland council should advance municipal broadband

Posted:
01/16/2018 11:20:02 AM MST

I have spent 20 years in the technology field, and am a third generation Lovelander and downtown business owner.

The high speed internet business is a virtual monopoly in our town, with Comcast being the only true broadband provider, and Century Link picking up the scraps. The two of them provide 95 percent of the internet service here.

Comcast has been abusive, being fined $2.3 million for charging customers for services and equipment that they never ordered. We can't afford to let Comcast have a monopoly in Loveland.

The broadband ballot issue passed with 82 percent of voters overriding the state law banning local governments from providing high speed internet. Who do you think backed this bill to keep cities out of this business? Comcast is making big money by keeping their monopoly. The results of both of the city's take rate surveys show that our businesses and citizens would rather buy their Internet service from Loveland than either of the incumbents.

It's time for the City Council to move municipal broadband forward.

Looking at the numbers in the city's own financial projections, the option that makes the most sense for Loveland is the retail model. In addition to the financial projections being most favorable in a retail model, there are a number of other advantages:

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1. The ongoing new jobs will be in Loveland, not out of state.

2. The public-private option costs substantially more.

3. The public private option does not mitigate risk.

4. A public-private partnership with either of the two incumbents leaves them in control of the marketplace.

All of the business owners that I have spoken with in town are in favor of the city going forward on municipal broadband using the retail model without delay.

Do not bow to special interest pressure. Do what is best for our citizens.